Nigeria: Location and Position – SS1 Geography Lesson Note (Second Term)

Nigeria is a West African country that lies between latitudes 4°N and 14°N and longitudes 3°E and 15°E. It is bordered by Niger Republic, Chad, Cameroon, Benin Republic and the Atlantic Ocean. Its land area is about 923,768 sq km, and it is the most populous country in Africa.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• state the latitudinal and longitudinal location of Nigeria;
• calculate the latitudinal and longitudinal extent of Nigeria;
• name the countries and the ocean that border Nigeria;
• state the size and population of Nigeria;
• name the colonial governors who ruled Nigeria before independence.

Where is Nigeria located?

Nigeria is located between 4°N and 14°N of the Equator, and between 3°E and 15°E of the Greenwich Meridian.

Since Nigeria lies between latitudes 4°N and 14°N, its extent from south to north is 10°. Its extent from west to east is 12°.

• Latitudinal extent: 14° minus 4° = 10°
• Longitudinal extent: 15° minus 3° = 12°

What is the position of Nigeria?

The position of Nigeria refers to where she lies in Africa (West Africa). She is bounded by:

• Niger Republic in the north;
• Chad Republic in the north-east;
• Cameroon Republic in the east;
• the Atlantic Ocean in the south;
• Benin Republic in the west.

Nigeria is surrounded by French-speaking (Francophone) West African countries.

What is the size of Nigeria?

Nigeria is the fourth largest country in West Africa in terms of land area, after Niger Republic, Mali and Mauritania. The total land area of Nigeria is approximately 923,768 sq km. The greatest distance from east to west is approximately 1,300 km, while from north to south it is about 1,100 km.

In terms of population, Nigeria is the most populous single country in Africa, with a population of over 140 million according to the 2006 population census. Hence, she is often referred to as the Giant of Africa.

How is Nigeria divided politically?

Nigeria came into existence in 1914 when the Northern and Southern protectorates were amalgamated. She became independent in 1960. Before independence, Nigeria was governed by colonial masters, who included the following:

Colonial governors of Nigeria

States of Nigeria

Nigeria is politically divided into 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Each state has a slogan or title, which can also be used to identify the state.

The states include the following:

Evaluation

1. Between which latitudes and longitudes is Nigeria located?
2. Calculate the latitudinal and longitudinal extent of Nigeria.
3. Name the countries and the ocean that border Nigeria.
4. Why is Nigeria called the Giant of Africa?
5. How many states does Nigeria have, and when did she become independent?

Assignment

1. State the direction in which each of Nigeria’s neighbours lies.
2. List the colonial governors who ruled Nigeria between 1919 and 1943.